Tributes have been paid to teenager Jamie Meah after he was named locally as the 18-year-old taxi passenger murdered in Leeds.
A pair of teenagers were attacked in a taxi near Hall Lane and Brentwood Terrace, Armley, yesterday (March 31) just before 5.29pm. The pair, aged 18 and 16, were rushed to hospital with serious injuries. Sadly, the 18-year-old was pronounced dead a short time later.
The other victim's injuries were not deemed to be life-threatening. West Yorkshire Police have launched a murder investigation and have said three suspects in another vehicle were responsible for the “violent attack”.
Follow our live blog for the latest updates on the murder investigation here
Tributes flooded online for Jamie on Leeds Live's Facebook page. Mandy Hazelgrave said: "RIP Jamie taken too soon." Kane Keith said: "What a world we live in! Didn't deserve this at all! Rest easy, Jamie.
Chloe Marie Timony said: "RIP Jamie, taken way too soon." Becky Massey said: "RIP Jamie love. It’s absolutely heartbreaking godbless you love thinking of your family x."
Jade Brown said: "Forever 18. Rest easy, JM." Shauna Eloise said: "To many lives getting took!! RIP to the young man such a cruel world we live in."
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Lee Townley of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team said: "Extensive enquiries are being carried out in relation to this murder investigation, our thoughts remain with the victim who has lost his life as a result of a violent attack on the streets of Leeds. We are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.
“What we do know is that the two males were in a taxi at the time when they were attacked by three suspects in another vehicle. I would appeal urgently to anyone who was in the area last night, who may have dashcam footage, or CCTV or mobile phone footage of anything suspicious to come forward."
DCI Townley added: “This incident will undoubtedly cause concern in the community and we are working with our colleagues in the Neighbourhood Policing team to step up patrols and provide extra reassurance.”
A resident who lives very close to the crime scene, Dave Richmond has spoken about how his friend was caught up in the middle of the “traumatising” incident, after he attempted to stem the blood flow with tea towels. There was “blood everywhere” and the “minutes felt like hours” as he waited for paramedics to arrive at the scene, the resident said.
Cordons are currently in place in the area with crime scene investigators in attendance. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or use the live chat facility here , quoting log number 1331 of March 31. Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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